How Yemen Has Developed Rules of Engagement That Are Disrupting the Houthis

The confrontation between Yemen's internationally recognized government and the Iran-backed Houthi group is no longer unfolding according to the military equation that had prevailed along the front lines since 2022. The latest escalation, initiated by the group, has revealed a notable shift in the performance of government forces, which have begun developing new rules of engagement that have unsettled the militias. They are moving from a position of defense and containment toward a phase of preemptive strikes, making use of drones and improved precision-targeting capabilities.